I could have sworn it was called a “snap up” but perhaps I’m misremembering from my Jr. High gymnastic unit.
You know, the one where one is on their back and they raise their legs/hips up and snap forward, coming up on their feet?
It’s also the move that every bad guy in movies uses to get back on their feet after the hero’s knocked them over (think Johnny in the final match against Daniel-san in KARATE KID).
I can get about halfway up, but can’t actually stay on my feet. I presume that I need to employ my hands somehow but can’t figure it out.
I know it as a “kip up.” You push up with your arms in a fast burst as you whip your legs over. The timing of the arm push is critical, which of course takes some practice. If you’re young, strong, and flexible, you should be able to do it.
Your hands need to be on the ground in the corner between your shoulders and your ears, with the wrists bent back so that your fingers point to (or even tuck under) your shoulders. Your elbows will be pointing up. Have fun!
No. In the strict sense, a somersault is a complete forward or backward revolution, starting and ending on one’s feet, or done in midair in the midst of some related motion. In the looser sense, it sometimes refers to any complete forward or backward revolution, such as a forward roll, or occasionally even a sideways revolution. A kip up is a 90 degree forward revolution, starting on one’s back and ending on one’s feet.
It’s also doable without the use of your arms. There’s a couple wrestlers in the WWE who do the maneuver whith their arms folded across their chests. Amazing, really.
